Showing posts with label Student. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Student. Show all posts

Nontraditional Students - labels and preconceptions - and how do nontrads feel?

class_2Image by betsyanne via Flickr













Just what is a nontraditional student? And how do they feel going back to school?

Some say only students a LOT older qualify for this name - - say, maybe 30 and over? Others (most others, I think) say that anyone who is not a "traditional" student - living on campus, single, etc. is a nontraditional one.

Sometimes the line is blurred. But I think most students who don't fit the traditional mold can feel somehow like an outsider at school - like somebody who doesn't quite fit in. In fact, I have had some people say that even though they MIGHT be able to do an online class, going back to school with younger students just terrifies them! Some younger students make a point of including them in conversations. Others would rather they just didn't exist - - which is really a moot point, because they do exist, and in higher numbers than ever.

I have written an article that hopefully will be published on another blog soon. I will list the link here as soon as I can. It has to do with Fear and the Nontraditional Student. I do think that there are some fears that nontraditional students have that can hold them back. I think nowadays, though, that older, "nontrad" students are learning to overcome their fears and to welcome the chance to interact with younger, more traditional students.

Other nontraditional students are shouldering heavy family responsibilities and money woes. I don't think we can clump everyone in the same basket always, but I do think that many nontraditional students have a lot in common, such as:

1. Less time to study
2. A lack of encouragement from family or friends
3. Family responsibilities that can take time away from schoolwork
4. A feeling of being "less than" or not being as prepared as younger students
5. A greater focus on where they are going, and a more serious outlook about school.
6. More stories and life experiences they love to share with others

I think it's good for different groups to interact, whether it is in an online or face-to-face class. It is my hope that the diversity of the modern classroom will have a positive effect - - helping younger students to appreciate how seriousness has its place, and for older students to realize that fun and a sense of play have their place in education too, and can make the whole experience even better.

All for now!

Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne

Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook (be member #166)
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New Information and Links from the Nontrad Twibe

5th floor lecture hall at Baruch College. Take...Image via Wikipedia














Are you on Twitter? You can join the Nontrad Twibe there. This is a nontraditional student interest group. From there you can find Twitter postings of interest to nontraditional students of all ages.

Here are some recent postings from the Nontrad Twibe:

SophieMaddox: Exclusive Scholarships for Stay at Home Moms Going Back to College ...: With the scholarships ... http://bit.ly/bjLy4N www.sophiemaddox.com
 
SophieMaddox: program $ 10000 Obama's Science allows mothers to go to college ...: With a college education,... http://bit.ly/cZqBOU www.sophiemaddox.com
 
JeannetteMarie: RT @Comm_College: RT @aacu: Excellent article on the ridiculous frenzy to speed up college students’ time to degree: http://bit.ly/9G66yC
 
drwetzel: How is Continuing Education Evolving http://shar.es/mGSLh #in
 
NortheasternCPS: The amount of time college students spent studying fell from 40 hours per week in 1960 to 27 hours per week in 2003 http://n.pr/c5EZaO
 
CourseAdvisor: RT @jlwill: How Facebook Can Jeopardize Your Chances of Being Accepted to College | Online Degree Finder: http://bit.ly/dDdVo7
 
CourseAdvisor: 10 Tips to Help Pay for College http://bit.ly/b38ys6
 
ScholarBuysWeb: RT @rrodgers: Mashable: 6 science teaching websites-->http://bit.ly/aJSMWI #scholarbuys
 
There are even more great articles and links at the Twibe site:

Nontraditionally Yours,
-Betsyanne
Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral

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Celebrate! It's the end of Spring Semester! 10 Summer Ideas for Nontrads

Snack bar ad shown at a drive-in.Image via Wikipedia













What other Nontraditional Students are doing...











I know you may still be winding up your semester, getting ready to graduate, or enrolling in summer school. But many nontraditional students are considering what to do after this, the end of the semester.

If you aren't already finished, you soon will be. It will be the end of final projects, the end of finals, and the end of crash studying. At last!

But now what?

Some of you will easily transition to "just the job..." or easily relax after school is done for the semester. But others will probably want to have some ideas. Here are some I thought of today:

1. Pamper Yourself. Do some things you have been putting off, like getting that new hairstyle or spa treatment.

2. Read and Relax. Get that favorite book out and have a fun time NOT having to do homework for a change.

3. Go on vacation, even if it's just nearby. If you can swing it, try staying at a relative's house or even a hotel for awhile. Yeah.

4. Have a picnic at home or at a park. This is very relaxing.

5. Take some time to garden, organize your house, the garage, etc. Completely forget about having to re-register for school. Or take care of that early and then do a project.

6. Do a craft project you have been putting off. For example, get out those easily-fixable bracelets and necklaces that just need a jump hook. Attach them and voila! New jewelry.

7. Get together with a neighbor, friend, or favorite family member and have an old-fashioned tea and cookies gab session.

8. Journal. Start a Summer Journal and put your thoughts, ideas, wishes, drawings, and more in it. If you need some inspiration on how to journal, check out the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. She has great ideas here, especially if you are artistic in any way.

9. Go to see a movie. Get popcorn and drinks too. If you are adventurous, and have one nearby, go see an outdoor drive-in movie and sample the snacks there too.

10. Spend $10.00 at a Dollar Store, buying little knick-knacks for Christmas presents for friends and family (or maybe the mailperson?). OR go yardsaling or thrift store shopping. This is a great picker-upper for many people.

Got another end-of-school pick-me-up to add? Just add it in the comments.

Find out what other students are saying about the end of the semester:
Dead Day Party and Initiation
from Rantings of a Middle-Aged College Student

Older Non-Trad Student
Stop and Smell the Roses

College Campus Mama
So Surprised - (getting ready for summer classes)

Later!

-Betsyanne

Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral
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